Automobile lock



June 12, 1923. 1,458,244

H. REEVES ET ,AL

AUTOMOBILE LOCK Filed NOV. 26 1919 Y v l X52 .f v 181g1111!@.1111111 E@ l@ Z9 1111111111 8f Jaca E. C42/11n Patented June 12, 1923. ik n UNITED STATES HEnBnnTjnnnvnsAND JACOB E. camu or COLUMBUS, OHIO, Assirenons OF ONE- imm? To SAMUEL n. HEARING 'ann HERSHEL w. UNKEL, BOTH on ZANESVILLE,

f OHIO.

AUTOMOBILE LOOK.

- Application med Noifemberfac, i919.A seriai No. 340,732.

To all whom t may concern: i

Be it known that HERBERT REEVES and JACOB F. CMN, citizens of the United States, residing at Columbus, .in the county* of Franklin and State'ofOhio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automobile Locks, of which the following is a specification. M

IThis invention relatesbroadly to an'fimproved automobile lock, and hasy particular i reference to a lock so constructed. asto permit under certaincircumstances of the free ially mounted steering wheel, said wheel and memberbeing provided with 'registerN able openings in which is rotatably mounted akeyelement, said key element'being provided centrallywith a recess which is of a configuration corresponding 'tofthat of the peripheralformation of the steering member, whereby when said recess is posi-- tioned so as to bein registration withv said steering member, saidl wheel may be loosely rotated in an independent manner about and with regard to said steeringmember and, conversely, when/said `key element is rotated so that the recess thereof 'will` be out of registration with said steering 'niember, said wheel and steering member will be locked .together for 'unitary' movement.l

Another object ofthe invention yresides in the provision of automatically yoperated means "mounted in connection with saidl steering wheel and niemberand operating to notify the manipulator of the lwheel when the element receiving openings are 'in or out of relative registration. Similarly, the

invention further providesmeans for de-` noting by the sense of touch .when the lkey elementy is in or' out ofl registration .with the steering member.

. Afurther objectof the invention 'resides in the provision of lanimproved,switch structure which is carried within the steer ing columnt'and located in cooperation with said key element, rwhereby when` said `key element is lso positioned asto lock the steering wheel' to kthe steering inemberfsaid switch structure will be closed to complete an electrical circuit, and reciprocally, when said key element is so positioned as to per# mit of the free rotation of thesteering wheel in ,a manner independent'iof, said Vith these and other objects in view, asy

ywill yappear as the description proceeds,`the

steering member, saidswitch structurev will invention further consists in the novel feaf tures of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts herein-- after t0 vbe fully described Iand to have the scope thereof hereunto appende In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification andl in which similar charactersrof reference denote like and Correspondingy parts: i

` Figure l is a fragmentary plan `'View of a steering wheel and=column-constructed to i embody the locking features. constituting the present invention. 'f

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the plane disclosed by the line 2 2 s of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional vview ure 2.

Figure 4c is a vertical sectional View taken vthrough the,` key element and its cooperative mechanism, the plane of which being indicated by the line-444i of Figurey 1.

Figure 5 is a similar view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure l; Figure 6 is a side elevation of the steering wheel, portions of which being'shown in pointed out in the claims taken through the locking mechanism onthe plane disclosed by the line 3-3 of Figadapted to be connected, in aimanner to be,

hereinafter particularly described, with the upper end of `a steering column B, in order that the rotation of the wheel may suitably rotate 'said steering column to effect corresponding movement on the part ot the steering wheels (not shown), oli a motor vehicle. The lsteering,column B consists in this instance ot a thin outer metallic shell 4l, and an inner rotatable member 5, rlhis member extends axially with respect to the hub oit the wheel 1 and is tapered as shown at 6 to receive a collar 7, the latter, as shown, is o' a size capable ot snugly fitting; within the bore of the hub Q. The member 5 and the collar are in -fact a vunit and are capable of rotating;- in unison. rThis may `be accomplished, as is best shown in Figures 3 and G, by providinp` the collar .7 with a vertically extending,` slot 8 in which a feather S) is situated, the latter being` also suitably received within an opening' formed in the'meinber 5, whereby the rotation ot said member will be accompanied by similar movement on the part of said collar. rThe extreme upper end of the member 5 is threaded as at 1() tor the reception of a binding nut 11. This nut is so disposed as to engage with a washer 12, which overlies the collar 7 and the hub or the wheel 1, whereby said wheel may be rotatably retained in its opt` :ive position upon the steering` column. lt desired, the hub portion 2 of said wheel may be provided with a downwardly extending tubular portion 13, which is or such length as to overlie and conceal the joints existing between the l'ower edges ot the collar 7 and the upper end ot the shell 4:. Also, said tubular portion is provided with an inwardly located and annular shoulder 14, which is disposed to rest upon an annular liange 15 provided upon the lower end of the collar 7. Obviously`r by being' conined between the washer 12 and the llange 15, said wheel will be rotatably supported in connection with the steering,1 column.

rdinarily, it is the common practice to key or otherwise secure the wheel l to the upper end of the rotatable member 5, in order that the rotation olthe steering` wheel may eiiect the operation ein' an associates? steering gear. However, the present invention practically comprehends means whereby said steering wheel may be 'disconnecte'd, atv the will ot the operator, trom y said steering member, in order that the ro tation off said wheel will not always be capable ot' operating the member 5 and in this anner to protect a motor vehicle against surreptitious use or theft. To accomplish this end, the hub portion 2 is provided with a transversely extendingsocket 16, which is located on a plane substantially at right angles to the major axis of the steering member 5, and said. spoke is so formed as to be intersected by the collar 7. The collar 7 is, in turn, provided with an arcuate opening or groove 17 in its periphery, which opening is of such form and dimensions as to be capable ot aligning itselt with and forming a continuation oi the socket 16, as is best shown in Figure 8. Arranged to be rotatably received within the socket 16 and also the opening 1T is a key element 18 which is of elongated rod-like formation. The key element is provided centrally with an arcuate recess 19, which is of a shape and size correspending to that of the perimeter of the collar 7. By virtue of this construction, it will be manifest that when the key element is so revolved, its recess 19 will be out of registration with the collar 7, or its opening 17, a portion ot said key element will extend through the openingj)` 17 in the manner shown in Figure lllhen thus positioned, the keyA element serves to rotatably unite the steering wheel 1 with the steering member 5 and consequently, movement on the part ot said steering wheel will be accordingly imparted to the steering member. However, by reversing the position or the key element, its arcuate opening 17 may be brought into registration with the circumference otl the coilar 7, and when thus positioned, said key element will be independent of said collar and will in no wise control its movements. lVhen in this latter position, the steering` wheel may be looselyrotated without in any way imparting; motion to the steering` column, thus rendering the operation oit a motor vehicle impracticable and accordingly miniinizing` the danger of theft.

To guard said key element and to prevent its surreptitious actuation, the end of said key element is biturcated as at 20 and is located contiguous to a key actuated tumbler lock mechanism 21. This mechanism is situated in the outer end of the socket 16 and is securely retained in Such position through any suitable agency. Obviously, by the use of a key '22 litted to Such mechanism, the key element 1S may be ro-l tated so that the position ot its recess 19 may be regulated.. lt is or course to be understood that the form of mechanism 21 may be varied, as in certain embodiments of our intention, we may employ a combination lock i'or effecting the actuation `ot the key element, and it is obvious that this latter torni may operate with the same elliciency and surety as the torni of lock mechanism described. n

ln order to notify the operator ot the wheel 1 when the key element is in a. position et registration with the opening 17, the hub portion 2 i-s provided with an internally bored openingl 23, in which is situated a. coil spring 24, the latter `operates upon a ball Q5, which is adapted to be seated within a conical 'opening 26 4provided in the periphery of the collar 7. It will be manifest that when the ball 25 is forced into the opening 26 by the spring` 24, the rot-ation of the wheel 1 will bevarrested to lll) ated in the closed end of the socket 16, is

provided with ay plurality of conical openings 27. These openings are adapted to receive a spring pressed ball 28 formed in the hub portion 2. This co-nstruction is such that when the key element is rotated so as to be in proper alignment with'the opening 17, the movement of the key element will be limited, or momentarily arrested as in the case of the rotation of the steering wheel about the collar 7 By the provision of the ball 28, thel operator is instantly notified as to the relationship between parts and hence no time will be lost in effecting the desiredregistration thereof. v

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying sheet of drawing, it will be seen that there is provided mechanism whereby an automobile.

may be effectively locked in such manner that its unauthorized use will be rendered tion, an annular member adapted to be fixed extremely unlikely. When the parts are in locked relation, the steering wheel maybe` loosely rotated about the steering' column and consequently it will be impossible to effect controlled movement on the partof the steering gear of the vehicle. The parts of the lock are all Substantially enhoused, and the operation thereof kcan only beeffected by the provision of aekey particularly designed for the lock 21, or by possessing the required only does the invention provide a mechanical lock, but .the same also includes means for controlling the ignition circuit of the vehicle. In the present instance, this means has been illustrated as consisting of contact strip 29, which is mounted upony a suitable block of insulation 8O located within a vertically disposed opening 31 formed in the collar 7. This strip 29 is connected by means of a suitable Wire 32 with anyy suitable source of current supply.` -The upper end of the strip 31 is so disposed that when the key element is in the position occupying the opening y17, said key element will engage the strip 29 and thus'y complete a grounded circuit. On the contrary, when l the wheel 1 is permitted to loosely rotate about the steering column, said key elementv will occupy a position independent of ther strip 29, thus causing an open circuit.

" l/Ve claim:

1. A vehicle lock comprising, in combination, a collar fixed to the upper end of` a combination thereof. Not.

steering post structure, said collar being `provided with a tangential recess, a steering y wheel capable of loosely rotating about said ferentialtformation of said collar, lock mechanism vdirectly coupling with said element and located on a plane substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said post structure, said lock mechanism vpermitting in itself of the positive and direct rotation of said locking element so that the lattermay be positioned within the recess of said collar to lock the latter and said steering wheel together for simultaneous rotation vand to also permit said element to be adjustedy so that its arcuate recess will lie in circumferential registration with said collar, whereby said wheel may be rotated independently of the collar and steering post structure, and a cir-- cuit governing member positioned within the recess formed in said collar and capable of engaging with said locking element, when the latter operates to connect the wheel with the steering post structure to govern an electrical circuit.

2.- A vehicle lock comprising, in combinaupon the upper portion of the steering post rstructure of a motor vehicle, said member .being provided with a tangential groove, a

tion with said groove, the longitudinal axis of said socket being disposed at right angles tothe major axis of the post structure, a

cylindrical locking element extending longitudinally of said socket and vmounted for rotation therein, said element being provided with a recess shaped to conform with the peripheral formation of said member, whereby when said element occupies an inactive position the same will be independent of said member but when in an active position the said element will be disposed Within thev groove of said member, and key actuated locking mechanism disposed in the outer end of said socket and capable of directly and positively effecting the rotation of said element.

3. A vehicle steering wheel lock comprising, in combination, an annular member adapted to be fiXed upon the upper portion of the steering post structure of a motor vehicle, said member having` its periphery provided with a tangentially disposed groove, a steering wheel mounted for rotation about said member, the hub of said member being formed to include a socket having its longitudinal aXis disposed to eX- tend at right angles to the major axis of the post structure, said socket being formed ior registration with the groove in said member, whereby when in registration said socket and groove will serve to define a true cylindrical port, a looking element positioned Within seid socket and adapted itor rotation therein, said element being provided with an arcuate recess corresponding substantially to the peipherai contour of said member, whereby said element by rotation may be moved to assume looking or unlocking positions Within the Wheel, resiiient Ineens for maintaining said element in its operating positions, and a key actuated iook- 15 natures.

HERBERT DiEEVES. JACOB iu. GAIN. 

